Anonymous
Post 03/17/2026 17:48     Subject: Economy to Europe
RE: the hammock. I have not found any good videos that shows how this attaches. All videos show attaching to other things, as an example as if it were the plane tray table. Share good videos if you have them.
Anonymous
Post 03/17/2026 16:43     Subject: Re:Economy to Europe
Anonymous wrote:Agree re: foot hammock. They help. Also these airplane eye masks that strap to the headrest - you can search on Amazon. The only time I actually slept in a long haul flight was because I had these two things.


You have to check the airline's policy on these. Some do not allow anything that attaches to the aircraft.
Anonymous
Post 03/17/2026 15:21     Subject: Economy to Europe
Anonymous wrote:Melatonin gummies. I also bring some for the first night there to force trying to get on the time zone.

Try the time shifter app too. You progressively wake up earlier and go to bed sooner in the weeks leading up to the trip - which makes it easier to shift and naturally makes you more tired on the plane.

Also, hydrate a lot in the days leading up to the trip. It makes the flight a lot easier and one less reason to wake up.


Yes, the hydration bit is important. I buy a big bottle to not have to worry about getting enough water from FAs. And I eat very little of the meal. It helps a lot.
Anonymous
Post 03/17/2026 15:15     Subject: Economy to Europe
Melatonin gummies. I also bring some for the first night there to force trying to get on the time zone.

Try the time shifter app too. You progressively wake up earlier and go to bed sooner in the weeks leading up to the trip - which makes it easier to shift and naturally makes you more tired on the plane.

Also, hydrate a lot in the days leading up to the trip. It makes the flight a lot easier and one less reason to wake up.
Anonymous
Post 03/17/2026 15:05     Subject: Re:Economy to Europe
Agree re: foot hammock. They help. Also these airplane eye masks that strap to the headrest - you can search on Amazon. The only time I actually slept in a long haul flight was because I had these two things.
Anonymous
Post 03/17/2026 15:04     Subject: Economy to Europe
Anonymous wrote:Sorry but no, we’re flying to Paris and taking the morning flight into London, so we can get a good nights sleep. We find the overnight economy flights to be miserable and then the day you get there is miserable so there’s so point.


NP-I prefer a crappy night on a plane to a day time flight personally: Flying is horrible, so I'd rather at least spend some of it sleeping than just up in that crap situation. Whatever makes the time pass faster.
Anonymous
Post 03/17/2026 15:01     Subject: Economy to Europe
Anonymous wrote:
Anonymous wrote:
Anonymous wrote:It helps a little to have Economy Plus/Comfort Plus. It helps more to have Premium Economy. Honestly, though, I need more recline than any of that if I am going to sleep.

Maybe look at daytime flights to Europe and going to bed right after dinner?


It depends with a small child. Sometimes economy plus has those big seat rest/spaces between seats and a kid sleeps worse in those because they can't put their head on your lap. I didn't really enjoy that upgrade.

I had a business upgradr once and I honestly didn't sleep better. You're still on a plane with other people who can disrupt you.


Yes, exactly. On a lot of economy plus seats overseas, the arm rests are big and do not raise. Can be worse for a sleeping kid. Economy is better, as the arm rests raise and kids can out head or legs across parent.


I think you are referring to "Premium Economy" here, which yes are wider seats with more recline, more legroom, and usually an immobile bulky armrest. In "Economy Plus" or "Economy Comfort" or whatever else name, that's usually the same exact economy seat, but with around 3 inches more legroom. And yes these naming conventions are very annoying because they are not consistent across airlines.
Anonymous
Post 03/17/2026 14:52     Subject: Economy to Europe
Anonymous wrote:Sorry but no, we’re flying to Paris and taking the morning flight into London, so we can get a good nights sleep. We find the overnight economy flights to be miserable and then the day you get there is miserable so there’s so point.


There is no day flight out of IAD to London.
Anonymous
Post 03/17/2026 14:49     Subject: Economy to Europe
Anonymous wrote:
Anonymous wrote:It helps a little to have Economy Plus/Comfort Plus. It helps more to have Premium Economy. Honestly, though, I need more recline than any of that if I am going to sleep.

Maybe look at daytime flights to Europe and going to bed right after dinner?


It depends with a small child. Sometimes economy plus has those big seat rest/spaces between seats and a kid sleeps worse in those because they can't put their head on your lap. I didn't really enjoy that upgrade.

I had a business upgradr once and I honestly didn't sleep better. You're still on a plane with other people who can disrupt you.


Yes, exactly. On a lot of economy plus seats overseas, the arm rests are big and do not raise. Can be worse for a sleeping kid. Economy is better, as the arm rests raise and kids can out head or legs across parent.
Anonymous
Post 03/17/2026 14:45     Subject: Economy to Europe
The inflatable thing is going to be very uncomfortable for a 9 year old, however small. You are better off with just eye masks and ear olugs. Expect not to get much sleep and what you do get will be a bonus. Take it easy on your first day.
Anonymous
Post 03/17/2026 14:36     Subject: Economy to Europe
I always travel first class.
Anonymous
Post 03/17/2026 14:25     Subject: Re:Economy to Europe
High end noise cancelling headphones phones like the Bose ones or the newer AirPods with good noise cancelling makes a huge difference. Dramamine too, even if you don’t get motion sickness will knock you out.
Anonymous
Post 03/17/2026 14:19     Subject: Economy to Europe
Anonymous wrote:It helps a little to have Economy Plus/Comfort Plus. It helps more to have Premium Economy. Honestly, though, I need more recline than any of that if I am going to sleep.

Maybe look at daytime flights to Europe and going to bed right after dinner?


It depends with a small child. Sometimes economy plus has those big seat rest/spaces between seats and a kid sleeps worse in those because they can't put their head on your lap. I didn't really enjoy that upgrade.

I had a business upgradr once and I honestly didn't sleep better. You're still on a plane with other people who can disrupt you.
Anonymous
Post 03/17/2026 14:19     Subject: Economy to Europe
We managed just fine.
Anonymous
Post 03/17/2026 14:16     Subject: Economy to Europe
I only fly economy. I also don’t drive luxury cars but I enjoy nice restaurants, hotels, and finer things.

Plane rides to me are not for the heavy sleeping. Book the nice room instead.”